Sunday, December 30, 2007

This year closes with the murder of Benazir Bhutto. Although I am not a political person I have watched this woman over the years. It is a testimony to her country that she succeeded where so many others have failed.She represented the hope of democracy not only for her country but also for all women in the Muslim world. Benazir accepted the legacy of the PPP party that was founded by her father. Her father and brothers were assassinated also. When she returned to Pakistan she knew she was in danger. I watched an interview with her that was filmed this month. She said,"I know I am in danger but the results are worth it and I am willing to accept the responsibility." That wasn't an idle aggrandisement comment. She knew there were factions that would be happy to see her dead.Now, my rant on our politicians. What the hell are they thinking? "We encourage the people of Pakistan to go forward with the elections on Jan 8th." Well, Duh She was the opposition! Who exactly do they think is going to run? So they have an election there is no one to run against the president and then he can say he was elected fair and square. The words "politics" and "common" sense will never be found in the same sentence. According to their tradition, political leaders can name their successor. Benazir's husband is not held in high regard in Pakistan. Actually many feel he is personally responsible for the charges of corruption against her that resulted in her being removed from power twice. BUT, the people kept electing her again and she would have won this time. So now the hope of democracy in Pakistan rests on the head of a 19 yr old boy. He has accepted his legacy and his mothers name of Bhutto. He will also have accepted that now he too will be a target. Does anyone believe for a second that his age will deter an assassin's bullet? When will we hear the voice of reason in the world today? Where will he be a year from now? Where will we be a year from now?

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

I have made this before but just with coca cola and dry onion soup mix and it was fantastic. This time I am going to be more adventurous and make this one. It seems spicier and is making my mouth water. The last one froze very well also. I will let you know how it turns out!I will probably cook it on low for 6-7 hours. did you know if you take the lid off the crock pot to look inside you have to add another 20 minutes of cooking time? There you go tip for the day!!!!!!

Crockpot Cola Roast

Ingredients :

4 pounds bottom round roast

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 1/2 cups cola

12 ounces chili sauce

2 tablespoons worcestershire sauce

2 tablespoons hot sauce

Procudures

Combine salt, pepper and garlic powder; rub over surface of roast. If desired, brown roast on all sides in vegetable oil in Dutch oven. Drain off drippings. Place roast in crockpot. Combine remaining ingredients and pour over roast. Cover with lid; cook on high (325~) for 3 hours or until tender.

Sunday, December 16, 2007

I can not mow grass in nice straight lines. You can imagine what happens when I use a snow blower.I got the garage door up and rolled out the snow blower into the snow storm. The theory is if you use it before the drive is up to the door handles in snow and it will be easier.... ya right.This was my second foray into using the snowblower. I have learned several things:: don't bother cleaning off the car until after you have cleared a path to move said car.: stay upwind...frig I looked like a snowman: when cleaning the front walk turn the ejector thingy AWAY from the front window. The living room feels like an igloo now.: when leaves and bits of grass come shooting out you have missed the sidewalk: and the most important thing.......Shut the garage door!The man next door was blowing out his drive and almost peeing himself every time he looked in my direction. Carl rolled up to the front door on his computer chair to watch for a while and wisely retreated back behind the front door......sigh

Friday, December 14, 2007

Surgery is over and its back into the plaster cast for now. Poor guy, at least we are on the mend now.

I talked with my girl friend the other night and she has a coined a new phrase..at least new to me.."Chateau de Cardboard"....That would be 4 litres of the finest white wine in a recyclable container....I can hear my daughter screaming...Nooooooooo..lol

I have finally started my Christmas shopping. I have discovered that you can do all your "window" shopping on line and then spend 10 minutes in the store. Just like going to Chapters with the ISBN number, anything to avoid the crowds. I'll save my browsing in the book store for the summer.

I have the politest grand daughters. Congratulations to their parents.

I will be glad when Christmas is over. I find this a poignant time of year. The little girl in me wants the magic that is gone..Christmas Eve, before he went to bed my father used to rub ballons on his head and then stick them on the ceiling. Christmas morning they would start to flutter down on our heads while we were unwrapping our presents.... Sigh.. How did I get so old?

My Nana would have been 109 years old today! I can remember when I wasn't much older than my grand daughters are now and I was in Toronto. We were going out to dinner and my Nana was getting ready. Ernie (my grand father...another story) and I were sitting on the couch in the living room, waiting, as she kept walking past us back and forth from the bathroom to the bedroom. She was wearing a tailored navy suit, 3 strings of pink beads, high heel shoes, stockings with seams (straight too), and an aura of Evyan's "White Shoulders" swirled behind her as she clicked past. My grand father was watching her and I remember his voice to this day. He said, "Your grand mother is a beautiful woman." I looked at him and thought he was nuts. Just the day before I had heard her say that she was 63 yrs old! I mean really! Sophia Loren or Elizabeth Taylor were considered the beautiful women of the 60's. How fantastic that my grand father knew she was beautiful too......OK *wiping a tear*... Christmas does this to me.........

Friday, December 07, 2007

The plaster is gone and now he is in an air cast. Looks like a spaceman high tech plastic affair. Next Wednesday he has to have surgery. There are several breaks and he has to have pins put in the bones. No work for a minimum of 4 months!!Looking for the bright side but don't see one yet. Ying and yang... it has to be there somewhere!

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

He is in a plaster splint from his knee to his piggies. This means the back and sides are rigid and then the whole thing is wrapped in tensor tape. He has to see an ortho doctor on Wednesday. Poor guy. It is damn uncomfortable trying to rest with your leg on 3 pillows. He didn't put in a good night last night. I left him with a packed cooler beside the bed...2 Kaisers with montreal smoke meat, havarti cheese and lettuce, 2 cans of pop ( coke and root beer ), candy bar and 3 beers, the phone, laptop and the remote controls for the TV, rogers box, dvd, volume, and the d-link box. That aught to hold him for the day..* Smile

Monday, December 03, 2007

We are having our first real snow squall of the season today. Which means I spun out in the intersection. At least I know my circulation is good. The blood pounded behind my eyes and my heart jumped up and shook hands with my epiglotis. That was when I was on my way back to the house after taking Carl to the hospital. In the fuss getting him to the car I forgot my purse and the laptop.

He came in last night around 12:30 am after driving for 12 hours. He had slipped on the ice in the parking lot and tried to stand on the bridge of his foot. Not what nature intended. He woke me up moaning in the hall. We put ice on it and he had a beer and some advil (lolol) and he went to sleep. This morning his foot is blown up and he can't bear weight at all. I think he may have broken one of those little bones. So he is at emerg and I am waiting for a call to go pick him up. Even if it isn't broken it is his right foot so it looks like he won't be able to drive for a while.

I will keep you posted.

Last night I finished the front of a beaded evening bag. New pattern design of my own creation. Ta dah! I shall post a picture when it is finished.